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Londoners fail to name Conservative cabinet
Peter Dominiczak2 Oct 2009
Can you name the Conservative cabinet members on the right?
They are on course to run the country as the next Conservative government. Yet the men and women who form the Tory shadow cabinet are almost unrecognisable to many Londoners.
In a snapshot survey by the Standard, just 50 per cent recognised pictures of shadow cabinet members George Osborne and Theresa May. Only 17 per cent recognised Andrew Lansley.
Nobody questioned recognised Chris Grayling or Philip Hammond.
James Inman, 45, a financial adviser from west London, said: "I'm a political animal and I don't recognise most of them. It's worrying that the future leaders of the country are so unknown. The Conservatives clearly have a lot more work to do."
Kirsty Ireland, 25, a hotel revenue manager from Acton, said: "David Cameron has been everywhere in the media but the majority of people in his shadow cabinet seem to have been pretty quiet."
James Palmer, 50, who owns the Roussillon restaurant in Sloane Square, said: "Having a low profile in the media could affect their chance of winning." Benjamin James, 20, a student from Kensington, said: "I didn't recognise any of them. I watch political programmes but other than David Cameron, the Conservatives don't really jump out at me. Maybe the rest of Cameron's cabinet just aren't being allowed any of the focus.
Henrietta Amodio, 51, from Kensington, said: "These people are major players and it is worrying that they are so unknown. We seem to see a great deal of William Hague, Kenneth Clarke and Michael Gove but where are the rest of them?
Answers
Shadow chancellor, George Osborne
Shadow pensions secretary, Theresa May
Shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley
Shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling
Chief secretary to the Treasury, Philip Hammond
